California Median
$80,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $73,220
State Rank
#8 of 36
8,430 employed here
How much does a Real Estate Broker make in California?
Real Estate Brokers in California take home a median of $80,450 annually — roughly $38.68 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $73,220.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,120 while the top 10% make $145,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,600 and $108,690 a year.
Real Estate Broker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,120 | $17.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,450 | $38.68 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $108,690 | $52.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,660 | $70.03 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 36 states and territories for Real Estate Broker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Real Estate Broker salary in other states
New Jersey $111,390Connecticut $105,800Utah $92,830Washington $82,790Alabama $82,630Michigan $82,510Maryland $81,550New Mexico $80,340Colorado $79,970Virginia $77,270Vermont $76,920Indiana $75,000Hawaii $74,310Arizona $74,260Arkansas $73,800North Dakota $73,300Kansas $69,990Delaware $68,690Florida $66,010Alaska $65,820Ohio $64,510Texas $63,390Montana $63,240Oregon $63,070Illinois $62,540Missouri $62,280Tennessee $60,150West Virginia $58,960Idaho $57,660Maine $55,280North Carolina $52,830New Hampshire $51,490Iowa $50,140Mississippi $41,690Minnesota $39,850
Working as a Real Estate Broker in California
Nationally, about 46,000 people work as Real Estate Brokers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($80,450) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Real Estate Broker make in California?
The median Real Estate Broker salary in California is $80,450 per year, or about $38.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,120 at the entry level to $145,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Real Estate Brokers about 10% more than the national median of $73,220. California ranks 8th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Real Estate Brokers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,450 a year. About 8,430 Real Estate Brokers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Real Estate Broker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.